Get Ready To Cruise The Bahamas

Simplify your Bahamas trip planning with step-by-step guidance and accurate, up-to-date information.

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$44.10 USD

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Boating Florida to the Bahamas: Plan Your Adventure With Confidence

Cruising from Florida to the Bahamas is an adventure of a lifetime—don’t let the planning overwhelm you. Get Ready to Cruise the Bahamas is your step-by-step guide to preparing for a smooth and enjoyable trip. From crossing the Gulf Stream to Bimini or another check-in point to provisioning for extended stays, this course ensures you're ready for every aspect of your journey.

Whether you're navigating legal requirements, planning your route, or understanding the unique challenges of sailing to the Bahamas, you’ll gain practical advice and the confidence to make your dream trip a reality without being overwhelmed or having to consult 83 different websites, let alone try to even figure out what questions to ask.

The course is regularly updated, so you’ll always have accurate and reliable information.

What You’ll Learn • All the Essentials for a Smooth Journey

Legal Requirements Made Easy: From Click2Clear to customs check-in, understand and complete all necessary forms with ease.
Prepare Your Boat and Crew: Step-by-step checklists, insurance tips, and everything you need for pets, medicines, and safety gear.
Plan the Crossing: Navigate the Gulf Stream and choose the right charts and cruising guides.
Master Provisioning: Know how much to buy, what to prioritize, and how to make the most of limited storage.
Stay Connected: Understand the best options for internet, phone calls, and emergency communication in the Bahamas.
Handle Emergencies: Build your ditch bag, file a float plan, and set up emergency contacts before you leave.

What’s Included • Comprehensive Resources for Every Step

This course features 31 in-depth sections organized into 6 easy-to-navigate categories:

Legalities: Everything you need to legally enter and exit the Bahamas, including insurance, pet permits, and customs forms.
Crossing the Gulf Stream, Charts & Cruising Guides: Guidance for a safe and successful passage.
Weather and Tides: Where to find the most accurate forecasts and tidal information.
Provisioning: Practical advice for stocking your boat, with special tips for those with tiny refrigerators.
Communications: Internet, calling, texting, and using satellite devices for reliable connections.
In Case of Emergency: Prepare a ditch bag, file a float plan, and set up contacts for peace of mind.

Why It’s Different

This course isn’t just a collection of tips—it’s a complete system to help you plan every aspect of your Bahamas cruise. Developed and refined by Carolyn Shearlock, who has made multiple trips to the Bahamas, it combines first-hand experience with helping countless boaters navigate the maze of ever-changing regulations.

The course is frequently updated to ensure you’re always working with the most current information.

How It Works • On-Demand and Always Accessible

Immediate Access: Get started right away with a login link provided on your purchase confirmation screen. Prefer to start later? Login details are also emailed to you.
Lifetime Access: Revisit the course whenever you need it, including all future updates.
On Your Schedule: Complete the course at your own pace—no set times or deadlines.
Clear and Concise: Primarily text with helpful photos, screenshots, and links to simplify every step.

About the Instructor • Carolyn Shearlock

Carolyn Shearlock brings 17 years of liveaboard cruising experience and a passion for helping others enjoy their boating adventures. She and her husband, Dave, have cruised over 14,000 miles, including multiple trips to the Bahamas.

Carolyn has first-hand experience navigating the challenges of traveling with pets, tackling complex government websites, and preparing for extended cruising. She is also the founder of The Boat Galley, an instructor at Cruisers University, and the author of The Boat Galley Cookbook.

Her course offers the expertise, tools, and encouragement you need to plan your own successful Bahamas cruise.

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Our Guarantee

At The Boat Galley, we have one mission: to help you cruise with confidence.

As liveaboard cruisers, we understand the challenges and questions that come with boat life. That’s why we create practical products and courses designed to tackle the same issues we’ve faced ourselves—making your life on the water easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

Try our products and courses for yourself. If they don’t make your boat life better, use our 90-day FREE no-hassle return guarantee.

Raved About By Josephine S. . . .

"This course is absolutely worth it! I haven't been to the Bahamas yet and had started researching and taking notes and was getting overwhelmed. I bought this course and it has totally lowered my stress levels and makes all the items that need to get done more understandable. It completely streamlines the research process. Highly recommend!!"

Verified Purchaser, Get Ready To Cruise The Bahamas

Thumbs-up icon with stars, representing customer testimonials praising The Boat Galley’s products and resources.

Where You’ve Seen Us

Meet The Boat Galley Team

At The Boat Galley, we’re all cruisers. We know the joys—and the challenges—of boat life. The steep learning curve, costly mistakes, and hours spent searching for answers can be overwhelming. We’ve been there. That’s why we’ve created practical tools, trusted resources, and real-world guides to help you skip the frustrations and focus on enjoying your cruising life.

Carolyn Shearlock

Founder of The Boat Galley
17 years liveaboard cruiser
US, Mexico, Bahamas, Central America, Virgin Islands, Turkey
Cruisers University instructor

Larry Webber

Cruising Guide creator
6 years living aboard and cruising
US East Coast from Florida Keys to Maine and Bahamas
Ex-Air Force; singlehander

Nica Waters

Provisioning guru; podcaster
On & off living aboard since 1992
Atlantic crossing; US, Caribbean, and Bahamas
Years of cruising with kids

John Herlig

VHF pro and frugal cruiser
Cruiser and delivery captain
US East Coast, Bahamas, Haiti, and Caribbean
Cruisers University instructor

Pamela Douglas: Creator of the Cruising With Your Dog course, 7 years cruising the US East Coast and ICW with her dog, Honey.

Pamela Douglas (& Honey)

Creator of Cruising With Your Dog
7 years cruising with Honey
US East Coast and ICW
Part of the Go Pet Friendly team
15+ years writing about dogs

Julie Tijerina

Graphics designer
8 years living aboard
US East Coast to SE Caribbean
Design and layout for all printed products

Katherine González

Social media coordinator
Pacific Ocean: Seattle, WA to New Zealand, incl. French Polynesia
Complete newbie to sailing prior to her 11,000 nm voyage

Kimberly Ward

Boatshow booth "mom"
Sabbatical and part-year cruiser
US, Bahamas, Caribbean
Family cruising New England to southern Caribbean

Curious about our story and what drives us? Learn more about us here.

bahamas quick reference

Looks great, such important info that's usually only gotten by word of mouth, now easily available. We are looking forward to using this in November! Very happy with this guide.

Tremendous value - highly recommend!

I just purchased your “Get Ready to Cruise the Bahamas” course…. WOW! Thank you for creating the course. It is the most comprehensive guide I have read (and I have been studying this subject for months).

Everything you need to know before cruising to the Bahamas!

The information is everything you need to know and it’s explained thoroughly and simply. We have not been to the Bahamas yet but hope to be leaving by next month. I’ve been super stressed about all of the things we need to accomplish. But doing this online course helped me to know what we have to do and how to do it. Feeling more confident about our journey now!

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Get Ready To Cruise The Bahamas